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Foundry and Metal Work: Career and Education Opportunities in Gresham, Oregon

Foundry and Metal Work:
Metal and Foundry workers forge, shape and weld metals under difficult conditions. They work at all stages of metal and part production from the initial forging of the alloys to the final construction of finished metal products.

Gresham, Oregon photo by Amadeust

Gresham is situated in Multnomah County, Oregon. It has a population of over 101,221, which has grown by 12.2% over the last ten years. The cost of living index in Gresham, 100, is near the national average. New single-family homes in Gresham cost $219,200 on average, which is above the state average. In 2008, one hundred three new homes were built in Gresham, down from three hundred five the previous year.

The top three industries for women in Gresham are health care, accommodation and food services, and educational services. For men, it is construction, accommodation and food services, and administrative and support and waste management services. The average travel time to work is about 27 minutes. More than 18.4% of Gresham residents have a bachelor's degree, which is lower than the state average. The percentage of residents with a graduate degree, 4.9%, is lower than the state average.

The unemployment rate in Gresham is 10.8%, which is greater than Oregon's average of 10.6%.

The percentage of Gresham residents that are affiliated with a religious congregation, 45.7%, is less than the national average but more than the state average. The largest religious groups are the Catholic Church, the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the Charismatic Churches Independent.

Gresham is home to the Linnemann and the Ruby Junction Maintenance Facility-Portland Light Rail System as well as Kane City Park and Davis City Park. Visitors to Gresham can choose from Best Western, Gresham Suites and Shilo Inn-Gresham for temporary stays in the area.

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CAREERS WITHIN: Foundry and Metal Work

Buffing Machine Operators set up, operate, or tend grinding and related tools that remove excess material or burrs from surfaces, sharpen edges or corners, or buff, hone, or polish metal or plastic work pieces. Buffing Machine Operators need to test products and systems both during and after development to evaluate and catch faults as they occur. They also need to pay attention to ongoing situations and monitor them as they develop.

Heat Treating Equipment Operators set up, operate, or tend heating equipment, such as heat-treating furnaces, flame-hardening machines, induction machines, or vacuum equipment to temper, harden, or heat-treat metal or plastic objects. Heat Treating Equipment Operators need to attend to equipment so as to monitor and adjust its activity. They also need to attend to equipment so as to monitor and adjust its activity.

Layout Technicians lay out reference points and dimensions on metal or plastic stock or workpieces, such as sheets, plates, or machine parts, for further processing. Layout Technicians need to respond to the actions of other and coordinate activities with them. They also need to use core mathematical skills in problem solving.

Mold Machine Operators set up, operate, or tend metal or plastic molding, casting, or coremaking machines to mold or cast metal or thermoplastic parts or products. Mold Machine Operators need to pay attention to ongoing situations and monitor them as they develop. They also need to train others in tasks and process.

Solderers braze or solder together components to assemble fabricated metal parts, using soldering iron, torch, or welding machine and flux. Solderers need to read and understand what has been read. They also need to make use of strategies for learning about new situations and problems as they arise.

Welders use hand-welding or flame-cutting equipment to weld or join metal components or to fill holes, indentations, or seams of fabricated metal products. Welders need to determine which tools and techniques should be applied to solve a problem or deal with a situation. They also need to read and understand what has been read.

Welding Operators set up, operate, or tend welding, soldering, or brazing machines or robots that weld, braze, or heat treat metal products, components, or assemblies. Welding Operators need to actively seek out need information and learn from it. They also need to make use of strategies for learning about new situations and problems as they arise.